Equipment rack having caster brackets

ABSTRACT

An equipment rack having one or more caster bracket assemblies. The caster bracket assembly is selectively mountable on a frame of the equipment rack at multiple mounting locations. The caster bracket can define a gap between the caster bracket assembly and a brace of the equipment rack frame which may be used for ingress/egress of cables or wires. Associated methods are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/289,212, filed Jan. 30, 2016, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to an equipment rack andcomponents thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Electronic equipment components, such as computer servers, routers,switches, data storage devices, and power supplies, are often mounted onequipment racks (e.g., cabinets or enclosures). These rack-mountedcomponents and devices are available in various physical sizes,depending upon the manufacturer, and vary considerably in height anddepth. In some cases, customized cabinetry is required to accommodatethe many different equipment configurations, which may be expensive topurchase and maintain, and may result in a data center with multiplespecialized cabinets that are not fully loaded with equipment. Cabinetsand enclosures are often required to satisfy one or more industrystandards, such as the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) EIA-310-Dstandard, which defines requirements for the industry-standardnineteen-inch rack, and in particular, establishes parameters for therail mounting-hole patterns.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, an equipment rack includes a frame assembly including aleft lower side brace and a right lower side brace spaced from the leftlower side brace. The left lower side brace has a first group of holesarranged in a first pattern, a second group of holes arranged in thefirst pattern, and a third group of holes arranged in the first pattern.The right lower side brace has a first group of holes arranged in thefirst pattern, a second group of holes arranged in the first pattern,and a third group of holes arranged in the first pattern. The equipmentrack includes a first caster bracket assembly extending between the leftand right lower side braces. The first caster bracket assembly includesa first caster bracket having left and right end walls. The left endwall has a group of holes arranged in the first pattern. The right endwall has a group of holes arranged in the first pattern. The left endwall is secured to the left lower side brace by mechanical fasteners inthe group of holes of the left end wall and in the first group of holesof the left lower side brace. The right end wall is secured to the rightlower side brace by mechanical fasteners in the group of holes of theright end wall and in the first group of holes of the right lower sidebrace. The first caster bracket assembly includes at least two wheelssecured to the first caster bracket. The equipment rack includes asecond caster bracket assembly extending between the left and rightlower side braces. The second caster bracket assembly includes a secondcaster bracket having left and right end walls. The left end wall has agroup of holes arranged in the first pattern. The right end wall has agroup of holes arranged in the first pattern. The left end wall issecured to the left lower side brace by mechanical fasteners in thegroup of holes of the left end wall and in the second group of holes ofthe left lower side brace. The right end wall is secured to the rightlower side brace by mechanical fasteners in the group of holes of theright end wall and in the second group of holes of the right lower sidebrace. The second caster bracket assembly includes at least two wheelssecured to the second caster bracket.

In another aspect, a method is for assembling an equipment rack. Themethod includes assembling a frame including a left lower side brace anda right lower side brace. The left lower side brace has a first group ofholes arranged in a first pattern, a second group of holes arranged inthe first pattern, and a third group of holes arranged in the firstpattern. The right lower side brace has a first group of holes arrangedin the first pattern, a second group of holes arranged in the firstpattern, and a third group of holes arranged in the first pattern. Themethod includes selecting the first groups of holes of the left andright lower side braces for securing a first caster bracket assembly tothe frame. The first caster bracket assembly has at least two wheels.The method includes securing a left end wall of the first caster bracketassembly to the left lower side brace by inserting mechanical fastenersin the first group of holes of the left lower side brace and in a groupof holes of the left end wall of the first caster bracket assemblyhaving the first pattern. The method includes securing a right end wallof the first caster bracket assembly to the right lower side brace byinserting mechanical fasteners in the first group of holes of the rightlower side brace and in a group of holes of the right end wall of thefirst caster bracket assembly having the first pattern. Among the secondand third groups of holes in the lower left and right side braces, thesecond group of holes is selected for securing a second caster bracketassembly to the frame. The second caster bracket assembly has at leasttwo wheels. The method includes securing a left end wall of the secondcaster bracket assembly to the left lower side brace by insertingmechanical fasteners in the second group of holes of the left lower sidebrace and in a group of holes of the left end wall of the second casterbracket assembly having the first pattern. The method includes securinga right end wall of the second caster bracket assembly to the rightlower side brace by inserting mechanical fasteners in the first group ofholes of the right lower side brace and in a group of holes of the rightend wall of the second caster bracket assembly having the first pattern.

In yet another aspect, an equipment rack includes a frame assemblyincluding a left lower side brace and a right lower side brace. The leftand right lower side braces are spaced apart from one another and extendin a front-to-back direction with respect to the frame assembly. Theframe assembly includes a lower brace extending in a side-to-sidedirection with respect to the frame assembly. A first caster bracketassembly extends between the left and right lower side braces. The firstcaster bracket assembly includes a first caster bracket having left andright end walls. The left end wall is secured to the left lower sidebrace. The right end wall is secured to the right lower side brace. Thefirst caster bracket assembly includes at least two wheels secured tothe first caster bracket. A second caster bracket assembly extendsbetween the left and right lower side braces. The second caster bracketassembly includes a second caster bracket having left and right endwalls. The left end wall is secured to the left lower side brace. Theright end wall is secured to the right lower side brace. The secondcaster bracket assembly includes at least two wheels secured to thesecond caster bracket. The lower brace extending in the side-to-sidedirection is closer to the first caster bracket than the second casterbracket. The first caster bracket is spaced apart from the lower braceextending in the side-to-side direction to define a gap between thefirst caster bracket and said lower brace.

Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of an equipment rack including one embodiment ofa frame assembly;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, with the addition of one embodiment ofmounting rails secured to the frame assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective of one of the mounting rails;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of FIG. 3 at an upper end of themounting rail;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of FIG. 3 at a lower end of themounting rail;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective of the mounting rail,showing an inner side of the mounting rail at the upper end thereof;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, with components of the mounting rail shownexploded;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross section at the upper end of the mountingrail showing a clamp in an unlocked position;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, with the clamp in the locked position;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective of the upper end of themounting rail secured to an upper side brace of the equipment rack;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective of the lower end of themounting rail secured to a lower side brace of the equipment rack;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross section at the upper end of the mountingrail secured to the upper side brace of the equipment rack;

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 1, with the addition of one embodiment ofcaster bracket assemblies secured to the frame assembly;

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective of the equipment rack of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, bottom perspective of one of the caster bracketassemblies;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of FIG. 13, showing one of thecaster bracket assemblies exploded from the frame assembly;

FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 1, with the addition of horizontal panelsattached to an upper end of the frame assembly;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of FIG. 17 showing thehorizontal panels;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of FIG. 18 showing a fronthorizontal panel, with a middle horizontal panel removed from the frameassembly;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective of the front horizontal panel;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, fragmentary top plan view of the horizontalpanel showing a retractable pin assembly in an extended (locked)position;

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21, with the retractable pin assembly in aretracted (unlocked) position;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged, fragmentary bottom plan view of the horizontalpanel showing a retractable pin assembly in an extended (locked)position;

FIG. 24 is similar to FIG. 23, with the retractable pin assembly in aretracted (unlocked) position;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged, bottom perspective of the retractable pinassembly;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged, top perspective of the retractable pin assembly;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of the retractable pin assembly;

FIG. 28 is a front perspective of the equipment rack having variouscomponents removed for clarity in illustrating brackets;

FIG. 29 is a section of the equipment rack of FIG. 28 taken in the planeincluding line 29-29 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a section of the equipment rack taken in the plane includingline 30-30 in FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a front perspective of a first embodiment of a bracket, asnap fit retainer being shown separated from a bracket body;

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary perspective of the bracket of FIG. 31 shown inregistration with a mounting area of the equipment rack;

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary perspective similar to FIG. 32 but showing thebracket mounted on the mounting area;

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary section taken in the plane including line 34-34of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary section taken in the plane including line 35-35of FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a fragmentary perspective of a bracket of a second embodimentmounted on a mounting area and holding a horizontal tray;

FIG. 37 is a fragmentary elevation of a bracket of a third embodimentmounted on a mounting area and holding a lower end of a vertical tray;

FIG. 38 is a fragmentary elevation of a bracket of the third embodimentmounted on a mounting area and holding an upper end of the verticaltray;

FIG. 39 is similar to FIG. 1, with the addition of one embodiment ofcable retainer gates secured to a wire basket;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective of two cable retainergates secured to the wire basket;

FIG. 41 is similar to FIG. 40, showing one of the cable retainer gatesrotated on the wire basket;

FIG. 42 is an enlarged perspective of the cable retainer gate;

FIG. 43 is an enlarged perspective, taken in a different vantage point,of the cable retainer gate;

FIG. 44 is an elevational view of the cable retainer gate;

FIG. 45 is similar to FIG. 1, including mounting rails, caster bracketassemblies, horizontal panels for the upper end of the frame assembly,tool-free mounting brackets, and cable retainer gates;

FIG. 46 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective of a mounting rail withanother embodiment of a clamp on the mounting rail;

FIG. 47 is similar to FIG. 46, with components of the mounting railshown exploded;

FIG. 48 is an enlarged cross section at the upper end of the mountingrail showing the clamp in an unlocked position; and

FIG. 49 is similar to FIG. 48, with the clamp in the locked position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, one embodiment of an equipment rackis generally indicated at reference numeral 10. The equipment rack 10may be part of or otherwise be referred to as an equipment cabinet orenclosure. The illustrated equipment rack 10 is particularly suitablefor mounting equipment, such as but not limited to computer servers,routers, switches, data storage devices, and/or power supplies (notshow), thereon. The illustrated equipment rack 10 is generally in theform of a cabinet-type equipment rack, including a frame assembly,generally indicated at 12. The frame assembly 12 has generallyrectangular footprint and a front, a back, a left side, a right side, anupper end and a lower end. In FIG. 1, the front faces out of the page tothe left, the back faces into the page to the right, the left side facesinto the page to the left, and the right side faces out of the page tothe right. The frame assembly 12 comprises four uprights, generallyindicated at 14 (e.g., vertical supports or struts), at four corners ofthe frame assembly. The four uprights 14 may be identical in structure,as explained in more detail below. The frame assembly 12 also includesupper and lower side braces, generally indicated at 16 (e.g., horizontalsupports or struts), secured to, extending between, and interconnectingadjacent uprights at the left and right sides of the frame assemblyadjacent the respective upper and lower ends of the frame assembly. Theupper and lower side braces 16 may be identical in structure, although,for reasons that will be apparent below, the upper side braces may beoriented upside-down (i.e., inverted) relative to the lower side braces.Upper front, upper back, lower front, and lower back braces, eachindicated at 17 (e.g., horizontal supports or struts), are secured to,extend between, and interconnect adjacent uprights 14 at the front andback of the frame assembly 12 adjacent the respective upper and lowerends of the frame assembly. These braces 17 may be identical to oneanother and of a different structure than the upper and lower sidebraces 16. The frame assembly 12 further includes intermediate left andright side braces 18 located between the upper and lower braces 16 andsecured to, extending between, and interconnecting adjacent uprights 14at the left and right sides of the frame assembly. The intermediate sidebraces 18 may be identical in structure to the upper and lower sidebraces 16, as illustrated. It is understood that in one or moreembodiments, one or more of the uprights 14 and/or the braces 16, 17, 18may have a structure other than illustrated without necessarilydeparting from the scope of the claims.

The uprights 14 may be formed from sheet metal, having a thickness from10 gauge to 20 gauge, for example, or other suitable thicknesses. Theuprights 14 may be formed from other materials suitable for providingstructural support to the equipment rack 10. The braces 16, 17, 18 maybe formed from sheet metal, having a thickness from 10 gauge to 20gauge, for example, or other suitable thicknesses. The braces 16, 17, 18may be formed from other materials suitable for providing structuralsupport to the equipment rack 10. The braces 16, 17, 18 may be securedto the corresponding uprights 14 in suitable ways, including but notlimited to, mechanically fastening (e.g., screws, bolts, nuts), welding,brazing, soldering, and/or adhesion. The upper braces 16, 17 may besecured to one another to form an upper frame member (e.g., rectangularframe member), and the lower braces may be secured to one another toform a lower frame member (e.g., rectangular frame member). Thecorresponding braces 16, 17 may be secured to one another in suitableways, including but not limited to, mechanically fastening (e.g.,screws, bolts, and nuts), welding, brazing, soldering, and/or adhesion.

Although not shown, upper and/or lower panels may be secured to therespective upper and lower ends of the frame assembly 12. Left and rightpanels (not shown) may be secured to the respective left and right sidesof the frame assembly 12. A back panel (not shown) may be secured to theback of the frame assembly 12. A door (not shown) may be attached to thefront of the frame assembly 12 to allow access (e.g., permitted access)to the equipment in the rack.

Referring to FIGS. 2-12, in one or more embodiments the equipment rack10 further includes at least one pair of mounting rails configured tomount the equipment within the rack. In the illustrated embodiment, theequipment rack 10 includes a first pair of mounting rails including leftand right mounting rails (e.g., front mounting rails), each generallyindicated at reference numeral 24, and a second pair of mounting railsincluding left and right mounting rails, each generally indicated atreference numeral 26. The left mounting rails 24, 26 are attached to andextend between the left upper brace 16 and the left lower brace 16. Theright mounting rails 24, 26 are attached to and extend between the rightupper brace 16 and the right lower brace 16. As explained below, themounting rails 24, 26 are selectively, individually movable along theleft and right upper and lower braces 16 to adjust the positions of themounting rails along the lengths of the corresponding braces. In effect,the mounting rails 24, 26 are selectively movable forward and backwardin the equipment rack 10.

Each of the mounting rails 24, 26 may be substantially identical tofacilitate modularity of the rack 10. Referring to FIG. 3, each mountingrail 24, 26 includes an elongate rail body, generally indicated at 30(e.g., a vertical strut), having a length extending between upper andlower ends thereof, and at least one releasable clamp, generallyindicated at 34, configured to facilitate clamping of the mounting railin a selected position relative to at least one of the correspondingupper and lower left and right braces 16 and unclamping of the mountingrail from the at least one of the corresponding upper and lower left andright braces to allow movement (e.g., sliding movement) of the mountingrail along the corresponding brace.

For ease of illustration, the following description refers to onemounting rail 24, 26 with the understanding that such descriptionsapplies equally to the other mounting rails. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,the rail body 30 in generally in the form of a strut including a web 36with a generally planar shape, and opposite first and second L-shapedflanges, generally indicated at 38, 40, respectively, extending fromopposites sides of the web. The L-shaped flanges 38, 40 have firstportions 38 a, 40 a, respectively, extending inward, relative to therack 10, at generally perpendicular angles from an inner surface 36 a ofweb 36 to form a channel shaped-strut, and second portions 38 b, 40 b,respectively, at the ends of the respective first portions extendinglaterally away from the web. A lip 48 extends inward, relative to therack 10, from the second portion 38 b of the L-shaped first flange 38,such that the lip 48 is generally parallel to the first portion 38 a ofthe L-shaped flange and perpendicular to the web 36. The web 36, thefirst and second L-shaped flanges 38, 40, respectively, and the lip 48each define a plurality of mounting openings 50 spaced apart along itslength. The mounting openings 50 are selectively used to facilitatemounting of the equipment in the rack 10 and/or for connecting othercomponents and structures to the mounting rails 24, 26. As explained inmore detail below, an outer surface 36 b of the web 36 engages (i.e.,contacts) inner surfaces of the respective upper and lower braces 16, 18when the mounting rail 24, 26 is clamped on the upper and lower braces.The strut of the rail body 30 may be fabricated from sheet metal, havinga thickness from 10 gauge to 20 gauge, for example, or other suitablethicknesses.

In the illustrated embodiment, each mounting rail 24, 26 includes two ofthe clamps 34, as shown in FIG. 3. In particular, each mounting rail 24,26 includes upper and lower clamps 34 located adjacent respective upperand lower ends of the rail body 30. The upper and lower clamps 34 may beidentical, although, as illustrated, the upper and lower clamps may havedifferent orientations on the rail body 30 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5).Each illustrated clamp 34 is selectively configurable between a clampedconfiguration, to clamp the mounting rail 24, 26 on the correspondingbrace 16 and resist movement of the mounting rail on the correspondingbrace, and an unclamped configuration, to allow sliding movement of themounting rail on the corresponding brace. As explained below, theillustrated clamp 34 includes a locking mechanism to releasably lock theclamp in the clamping configuration. The locking mechanism may be a camlock, as explained below. It is understood that other types of clamps,including other ways of locking the clamp, do not necessarily departfrom the scope of the claims.

The clamp 34 includes a clamp arm, generally indicated at 56, extendingoutward from the outer surface 36 b of the web 36, and a lever,generally indicated at 60, at the inner surface 36 a of the webconfigured to move the clamp arm toward and away from the outer surfaceof the web. The illustrated clamp arm 56 is configured to engage (e.g.,contact) the corresponding one of the upper and lower braces 16. Asshown in FIG. 10, the clamp arm 56 of the upper clamp is arranged andconfigured to engage (e.g., contact) a lower portion, generallyindicated at 64, of the upper brace 16. As shown in FIG. 11, the clamparm 56 of the lower clamp 34 is arranged and configured to engage (e.g.,contact) an upper portion, generally indicated at 66, of the lower brace16. The illustrated clamp arm 56 of each clamp is L-shaped (i.e.,generally L-shaped) having a first clamp portion 56 a extending outwardfrom (e.g., generally perpendicular to) the outer surface 36 b of theweb 36, and a second clamp portion 56 b extending from (e.g., generallyperpendicular to) the first clamp portion. The clamp arm 56 of the upperclamp 34 is arranged such that the second clamp portion 56 b extendsupward from (e.g., generally perpendicular to) the first clamp portion56 a, as shown in FIG. 4. The clamp arm 56 and the outer surface 36 b ofthe web 36 define an upper channel 70 (FIG. 4) sized and shaped toreceive the lower portion 64 of the upper brace 16 (as shown in FIG.10). The clamp arm 56 of the lower clamp 34 is arranged such that thesecond clamp portion 56 b extends downward from (e.g., generallyperpendicular to) the first clamp portion 56 a. The clamp arm 56 and theouter surface 36 b of the web 36 define a lower channel 72 (FIG. 5)sized and shaped to receive the upper portion 66 of the lower brace 16(as shown in FIG. 11).

The clamp arm 56 of each clamp 34 includes a detent projection 76extending into the corresponding channel 70, 72. As will be understoodfrom the following disclosure, in one or more embodiments each clamp 34may function as and be referred to as a detent because of the detentprojection 76. It is understood that the clamp 34 may not include thedetent projection 76 and may not function as a detent. In theillustrated embodiment, the detent projection 76 extends from the secondportion 56 b of the clamp arm 56, although the detent projection mayproject from another portion of the clamp arm, such as the first portion56 a. The illustrated detent projection 76 comprises a nub or boss orother projecting component. The upper portions 66 of the lower sidebraces 16 and the lower portions 64 of the upper side braces eachdefines a plurality of detent-receiving recesses 82 (e.g., dimple,opening, aperture, gap or other defined structure) spaced apart from oneanother along the brace. In the illustrated embodiment, each of theupper and lower side braces 16 includes a web 84, upper and lowerflanges 86 extending outward from (e.g., perpendicular to) the web, andupper and lower inturned lips 88 extending inward, relative to the web,from the upper and lower side flanges 16, respectively. Accordingly, theupper and lower side braces 16 comprise generally C-shaped struts. Theupper flanges 86 and upper lips 88 define the upper portion 66 of thelower side braces 16, and the lower flanges 86 and the lower lips 88define the lower portions 64 of the upper side braces 16. In theillustrated embodiments, at least one of the upper and lower lips 88defines the detent-receiving recesses 82. As explained in more detailbelow, the detent projection 76 is configured to be received in anyselected one of the plurality detent-receiving recesses 82 to facilitatelocking of the mounting rail 24, 26 to the corresponding brace 16 andconfigured to be selectively removed from the detent-receiving recess tofacilitate unlocking of the mounting rail from the corresponding brace.Accordingly, at least one of the lower and upper portions 64, 66 of theupper and lower side braces 16, respectively, defines a track on whichthe clamp arm 56 is selectively slidable to adjust the position of themounting rail 24, 26 in the rack 10.

The lever 60 includes a cam 90 (e.g., a cylindrical cam) pivotallycoupled to the clamp arm 56, and a lever arm 92 secured to the cam formanually actuating rotation of the cam about a rotational axis RArelative to the clamp arm and the rail body 30. In the illustratedembodiment, the lever 60 includes a trunnion 94 (e.g., a pivot pin)defining the rotational axis RA and rotatably coupled to a trunnionbearing 98 secured to the clamp arm 56. The trunnion bearing 98 includesspaced apart bearing arms (indicated by same reference numeral 98)extending inward relative to the clamp arm 56 through spaced apart slots100 in the web 36 of the mounting rail 24, 26. The bearing arms 98define trunnion-receiving openings 102 in which the trunnion 94 isrotatably received at the inner side of the web 36. The cam surface ofthe cam 90 has an eccentric circumference having a non-uniform diameterabout the rotational axis RA. To lock the clamp 34, the lever arm 92 isrotated toward the web 36 to a cam-locked position, as shown in FIG. 9for example, so that the cam 90 rotates about the rotational axis RA anda circumferential portion of the cam surface having a relatively largerradius r1 with respect to the rotational axis engages (i.e., contacts)and rides on (e.g., pushes against) the inner surface 36 a of the web tomove the clamp arm 56 toward the outer surface 36 b of the web. Tounlock the clamp 34, the lever arm 92 is rotated away the web 36 to anunlocked position, as shown in FIG. 8 for example, so that the cam 90rotates about the rotational axis RA and a circumferential portion ofthe cam surface having the relatively larger radius r1 disengages from(e.g., is no longer in contact with) the inner surface 36 a of the web36 and a circumferential portion of the cam surface having a relativelysmaller radius r2 with respect to the rotational axis RA rides on theinner surface 36 a of the web 36 to allow the clamp arm 56 to move awayfrom the outer surface 36 of the web.

In use, the one or more pairs of mounting rails 24, 26 are connected tothe upper and lower side braces 16. The clamps 34 are configured in theunclamped configuration (e.g., the circumferential portion of the camsurface having the relatively smaller radius r2 is in engagement withand/or facing the inner surface 36 a of the web 36). The lower portions64 of the upper side braces 16 (e.g., the lower flanges 86 and the lowerlips 88 of the braces) are inserted into the upper clamp channels 70 ofthe mounting rails 24, 26. The upper portions 66 of the lower braces 16(e.g., the lower flanges 86 and the lower lips 88 of the braces) areinserted into the lower clamp channels 72 of the mounting rails 24, 26.With the clamps 34 in the unclamped configuration, the mounting rails24, 26 are slidable along the upper and lower side braces 16 (e.g., theclamp arms 56 slide along the braces) to selected front-to-backpositions within the equipment rack 10 and relative to the lengths ofthe side braces.

Referring to FIG. 12, to lock the mounting rails 24, 26 in the selectedpositions on the upper and lower side braces 16, the lever arms 92 ofthe clamps 34 are manually rotated relative to the corresponding clamparms 56 and rail bodies 30, such as rotated toward the web 36 of therail body (e.g., downward), to actuate rotation of the cam 90. Duringrotation of the cam 90 the circumferential portion of the cam surfacehaving the relatively larger radius r1 engages (e.g., contacts) andrides on (e.g., pushes against) the inner surface 36 a of the web 36.This camming action moves the clamp arm 56 toward the correspondingupper and lower portions 64, 66 of the respective upper and lower sidebraces 16, whereupon the clamp arm 56 clamps the mounting rail 24, 26 tothe corresponding side brace 16 such that the inner surface 84 a of theweb 84 of the brace contacts the outer surface 36 b of the web 36 of therail body 30. The cam 90 is in a locked position to inhibitunintentional unclamping of the clamp 34. In this clamped configurationof the clamp 34, the detent projection 76 on the clamp arm 56 enters oneof the detent-receiving recesses 82 (broadly, forms a mating connection)to further inhibit unintentional movement of the mounting rail 24, 26from its selected position. The detent-receiving recesses may be spacedapart from one another at uniform intervals along the lengths of thebraces 16, including but not limited to, about 10 mm intervals.

The positions of the mounting rails 24, 26 can be quickly and easilyrepositioned in the rack 10 by unclamping the mounting rails. Toselectively unlock one of the mounting rails 24, 26, the lever arms 92of the upper and lower clamps 34 are manually rotated away from the web36 of the rail body 30 (e.g., upward), to actuate rotation of thecorresponding cams 92, whereupon the circumferential portions of the camsurfaces having the larger radii r1 disengage from the inner surface 36a of the web 36 to allow the clamp arms 56 to move away from the upperand lower portions 64, 66 of the respective lower and upper side braces16 and unclamp the mounting rail. With the mounting rail 24, 26unclamped from the brace 16, the mounting rail is allowed to slide alongthe corresponding brace. In this unclamped configuration of the clamps34, the detect projections 76 on the clamp arms 56 are at leastpartially outside the detent-receiving recesses 82 to further allowsliding movement of the mounting rail 24, 26 along the correspondingbrace 16.

Referring to FIGS. 46-49, another embodiment of a clamp is generallyindicated at reference numeral 134. This clamp 134 is similar to thefirst clamp 34, with differences being described hereinafter. The clamp134 may be used in the same way as described above with respect to thefirst clamp 34.

Like clamp 34, the present clamp 134 includes a clamp arm, generallyindicated at 156, and a lever, generally indicated at 160. In general,the clamp arm 156 and the lever 160 function in the same manner as therespective clamp arm 56 and the lever 60 of the first clamp 34. Inparticular, the clamp arm 156 is configured to engage (e.g., contact)the corresponding one of the upper and lower braces 16. The clamp arm156 is generally L-shaped having a first clamp portion 156 a and asecond clamp portion 156 b, similar to the first clamp arm 56. The lever160 includes a cam 190 (e.g., a cylindrical cam) pivotally coupled tothe clamp arm 156, and a lever arm 192 secured to the cam for manuallyactuating rotation of the cam about a rotational axis RA2 relative tothe clamp arm and the rail body 30. As with clamp 34, the cam surface ofthe cam 190 has an eccentric circumference having a non-uniform diameterabout the rotational axis RA2, and the lever 160 includes a trunnion 194(e.g., a pivot pin) defining the rotational axis RA2 and rotatablycoupled to a trunnion bearing 198 secured to the clamp arm 156. Thetrunnion bearing 198 includes spaced apart bearing arms (indicated bysame reference numeral 198).

Unlike the clamp 34, the present clamp 134 includes a thrust plate 104disposed between the cam 190 and the inner surface 36 a of the web 36.The thrust plate 104 increases a clamping force of the clamp 134 on thebrace 16. The cam 190 engages and rides on a bearing surface 105 of thethrust plate 104 having a shape generally corresponding to the shape ofthe surface of the cam 190 (e.g., the bearing surface 105 defines arecess in which the cam is received). The thrust plate 104 is capturedby the trunnion bearing 198 to maintain its position between the cam 190and the inner surface 36 a of the web 36. The trunnion bearing 198 isslidable inward and outward relative to the thrust plate 104 duringlocking and unlocking of the clamp 134. To lock the clamp 134, the leverarm 192 is rotated toward the web 136 to a cam-locked position, as shownin FIG. 49 for example, so that the cam 190 rotates about the rotationalaxis RA2 and a circumferential portion of the cam surface having arelatively larger radius with respect to the rotational axis engages(i.e., contacts) and rides on (e.g., pushes against) the bearing surface105 of the thrust plate 104 to move the clamp arm 156 toward the outersurface 36 b of the web 36. One or more bumpers 106 (e.g., a resilientlycompressible bumper) engages the inner surface 36 a of the web 36 andmay compress as the clamp arm 156 clamps on the brace 16. Theillustrated embodiment also includes a bumper 108 (e.g., a resilientlycompressible bumper) attached to a body component 156 c of the clamp arm156 that engages the outer surface 36 b of the web 36 may compress asthe clamp arm 156 clamps on the brace 16. To unlock the clamp 134, thelever arm 192 is rotated away the web 36 to an unlocked position, asshown in FIG. 48 for example, so that the cam 190 rotates about therotational axis RA2 and a circumferential portion of the cam surfacehaving the relatively larger radius disengages from (e.g., is no longerin contact with) the bearing surface 105 of the thrust plate 104 and acircumferential portion of the cam surface having a relatively smallerradius with respect to the rotational axis RA2 rides on the bearingsurface 105 of the thrust plate 104 to allow the clamp arm 156 to moveaway from the outer surface 36 b of the web 36.

The lever 192 of the clamp 134 includes a stop 109 that inhibits thelever from rotating beyond a selected rotational position (e.g., beyondabout 90 degrees from its locked position). In the illustratedembodiment, the stop 109 projects outward from the cam surface of thecam 190 and engages the thrust plate 104 when the lever 192 is rotatedto about 90 degrees from its locked position to inhibit further rotationof the lever.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16, in one or more embodiments, the equipment rack10 may include at least one caster bracket, generally indicated at 200,for mounting casters 202 (broadly, wheels) at the lower end of the frameassembly 12. Together, the caster bracket 200 and the casters 202 form acaster bracket assembly. In the illustrated embodiment, the equipmentrack 10 includes two caster brackets 200: a front caster bracket and aback caster bracket. The caster brackets 200 may be substantiallyidentical to facilitate modularity of the rack 10. As shown best in FIG.15, the caster bracket 200 has a generally rectangular footprint,including generally planar base 206 and front, back, left, and rightside walls 208 extending downward from the corresponding sides of thebase. The caster bracket 200 is attached to the frame assembly 12adjacent the lower end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, thecaster bracket 200 extends between the inner surfaces 36 a of the lowerleft and right braces 16. The left and right side walls 208 of thecaster bracket 200 are attached to the left and right braces 16,respectively. In one example, a first set of mechanical fasteners 210(e.g., screws or bolts and nuts) fasten the left side wall of the casterbracket to the lower left brace, and a second set of mechanicalfasteners 212 (e.g., screws or bolts and nuts), which may be identicalto the fasteners of the first set, fasten the right side wall 208 of thecaster bracket 200 to the lower right brace 16. The fasteners 212 areinserted through openings 214 in the respective left and right walls 208and openings 216 in the respective webs of the lower braces 16. Thecaster brackets 200 may be attached to the lower side braces 16 and/orthe frame assembly 12 in other ways. Casters 202 are attached to thelower surface of the caster bracket body 206 using suitable fasteners218 (e.g., screws or bolts and nuts) or in other ways.

At least one of the caster brackets 200 (e.g., the rear caster bracket)is selectively attachable to the lower right and left braces 16 at aplurality of locations along the lengths of the braces to adjust thelocations of the caster bracket in a front-to-back direction. As shownin FIG. 14, in one example this adjustable location of the rear casterbracket 200 allows the rear caster bracket to be attached to the frameassembly 12 such that the back side wall 208 of the caster bracket isspaced apart, in a forward direction, from the lower back brace 17(i.e., spaced from the back side of the frame assembly) to define a gap220 therebetween. Cables, wires, and/or other components may be fedthrough the gap 220 to outside the rack 10.

Referring to FIGS. 17-19, in one more embodiments, the equipment rack 10may include one or more horizontal panel assemblies, each generallyindicated at reference numeral 300, secured to one or both of the upperend and the lower end of the frame assembly 12. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 17, the equipment rack 10 includes a plurality of upperhorizontal panel assemblies 300 (e.g., 3 upper horizontal panelassemblies) secured to the upper end of the frame assembly 12, forming aceiling of the rack. It is understood that the horizontal panelassemblies 300 may be secured to the lower end of the frame assembly 12to form a floor of the equipment rack 10. The illustrated horizontalpanel assemblies 300 are modular in that the horizontal panel assembliescan be arranged in different configurations at the lower end and/or theupper end of the frame assembly 12, as explained in more detail below.Moreover, the horizontal panel assemblies 300 may be secured to theframe assembly 12 in an inverted orientation, as explained in moredetail below.

Each horizontal panel assembly 300 includes a horizontal panel,generally indicated at 302. The horizontal panel 302 includes panel body304 with opposite upper and lower faces, and opposite left and right endwalls 306 extending downward from respective left and right sides of thepanel body. The panel body 304 may be generally planar with arectangular footprint. The illustrated horizontal panels 302 alsoinclude front and back flanges 310 extending downward from respectivefront and back sides of the panel body 304. The flanges 310 add strengthand rigidity to the horizontal panels 300. As shown in FIG. 17, thehorizontal panels 302 are arranged front to back to form the ceilingand/or floor of the rack 10. As shown in FIG. 20, each horizontal panel302 has a length L1 extending between the opposite left and right endwalls 306 and a width W1 extending between the opposite front and backflanges 310. In one or more embodiments, the lengths L1 of thehorizontal panels 302 may be uniform, while the widths may vary bypredetermined increments, such as 100 mm increments. The horizontalpanels 302 may be formed as a unitary structure. For example, thehorizontal panels 302 may be fabricated from sheet metal, having athickness from 10 gauge to 20 gauge, for example, or other suitablethicknesses.

Referring to FIG. 17, one or more embodiments of the horizontal panelassembly 300 may include egress/ingress ports 314 through whichcables/wires may exit/enter the rack 10. The illustrated egress/ingressports 314 are provided on the panel body 302. The egress/ingress ports314 include, but are not limited to, brushes, flap seals (e.g., rubberflaps), and other components generally known in the art. The horizontalpanel 302 illustrated in FIG. 20 is a solid panel having noegress/ingress ports for through which cables/wires may exit/enter therack 10. One or more of the horizontal panels 302 may be of otherconfigurations and have other features.

Referring to FIGS. 21-24, each horizontal panel assembly 300 furtherincludes at least one retractable pin 320 configured to releasablysecure the horizontal panel assembly to the frame assembly 12. In theillustrated embodiment, each horizontal panel assembly 300 includes apair of the retractable pins 320 at one of the end walls 306 of thehorizontal panel 302 (e.g., the left end wall), and a pair ofnon-retractable pins 324 at the other end wall (e.g., the right endwall; FIG. 20) of the horizontal panel 302. The pins 320, 324 extend (orat extendable) laterally outward from the corresponding end walls 306and are configured to be inserted into selected ones of pin-receivingrecesses 327 (FIG. 17) (e.g., dimple, opening, aperture, gap or otherdefined structure) in the left and right braces 16 (e.g., upper and/orlower left and right braces) to secure the horizontal panel assembly 300to the frame assembly 12. The non-retractable pins 324 are fixedlysecured (e.g., welded, soldered, fastened, etc.) to the correspondingend wall 306. As explained in more detail below and shown in FIGS. 21and 23, the retractable pins 320 extend or are extendable through pinopenings 325 in the associated end wall 306 and are movable inwardrelative to the horizontal panel 302 to facilitate securement of thehorizontal panel assemblies 300 to the frame assembly 12. In one or moreembodiments, the non-retractable pins 324 may be replaced with othertypes of connectors, including the retractable pins 320, or othersuitable connectors.

Referring to FIGS. 20-22 and 25, each retractable pin 320 is part of aretractable pin assembly, generally indicated at 326. The retractablepin assembly 326 comprises a slide, generally indicated at 328, which issecured to the retractable pin 320. The slide 328 is slidably coupled tothe horizontal panel 302 (e.g., at the lower surface of the panel body304). The slide 328 includes a slide base 332 having opposite sidesslidably captured between opposing L-shaped track arms 334 extendingfrom the lower surface of the panel body 304 and defining a track inwhich the slide is slidably captured. The slide 328 also includes alower handle 338 accessible at the lower face of the panel body. In theillustrated embodiment, the first handle 338 comprises a tab configuredto be gripped or contacted or otherwise controlled to slidably move theslide 328 in the track. As shown in FIGS. 23, 24 and 27, the illustratedslide 328 also includes an upper handle 340 accessible at the lower faceof the panel body 304 through an access opening 342 formed in the panelbody. The upper handle 340 is defined by a finger cavity 344 extendingin the slide base 332.

The retractable pin assembly 326 is movable (e.g., slidable) between anextended position (or locked position), as shown in FIGS. 21 and 23, inwhich the pin 320 extends laterally outward from the corresponding endwall 306 of the horizontal panel 302 an extended distance dl, and aretracted position (or unlocked position), in which the pin does notextend outside the horizontal panel 302 (as shown) or extends laterallyoutward from the end wall a retracted distance (not shown) that is lessthan the extended distance. In one or more embodiments, the retractablepin assembly 326 is releasably lockable in the extended position. In theillustrated embodiment, the retractable pin assembly 326 includes adetent 348 on the slide base 332. The detent 348 is resilientlydeflectable relative to the slide base and includes a detent projection350 (e.g., a nub) that is receivable in a detent-receiving opening 352in the horizontal panel 302 (e.g., panel body 304) when the retractablepin assembly 326 is in the extended position (FIGS. 21 and 23). Theillustrated detent 348 is cantilevered to the slide base 332 toresiliently deflect. In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 24,the slide 328 includes a stop 354 configured to contact an edge of theaccess opening 342 to restrict further inward sliding of the retractablepin assembly 326 when the retractable pin assembly 326 is in theretracted position.

In one or more embodiments, the slide 328 may be formed as an integral,one-piece component. The slide 328 may be formed from plastic or othermaterial. In one example, the retractable pin 320 may be formed frommetal or other rigid material. As an example, the slide 328 may beovermolded on the pin 320. Other ways for securing the pin 320 to theslide 328 are possible.

In one or more examples, to secure each of the horizontal panels 300 tothe frame assembly 12, the retractable pin assemblies 326 are disposedin the retracted positions, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, for example,and the non-retractable pins 324 are first inserted into the selectedpin-receiving recesses 327 of one of the upper and/or lower braces 16.With the non-retractable pins 324 in the selected pin-receiving recesses327, the retractable pin assemblies 326 are moved to the extended (orlocked) positions such that the retractable pins 320 enter the selectedones of the pin-receiving recesses 327 in the other, opposing upperand/or lower braces 16. Accordingly, the retractable pin assembly andthe pin-receiving recess 327 in the brace 16 together constitute areleasable latch or releasable latching mechanism. In an example, eitherthe lower handles 338 or the upper handles 340 may be manually graspedto impart sliding movement of the retractable pin assemblies 326. As theretractable pin assemblies 326 are moved to the extended positions, thedetents 348 resiliently rebound as the detent projections 350 enter thedetent-receiving openings 352 in the horizontal panel 302 (e.g., panelbody 304) to releasably lock the retractable pin assemblies 326 in theextended positions.

In one or more examples, to remove one of the horizontal panels 300 fromthe frame assembly 12, the retractable pin assemblies 326 are moved tothe retracted (or unlocked) positions such that the retractable pins arewithdrawn from the pin-receiving recesses 327 in the upper and/or lowerbraces 16. As the retractable pin assemblies 326 are moved to theretracted (or unlocked) positions, the detent projections 350 contactrespective edges of the detent-receiving openings 352 and ride on thepanel body 304, whereupon the detents 348 resiliently deflect. In theretracted (or unlocked) positions, the stops 354 inhibit the retractablepin assemblies 326 from over retracting.

As disclosed above, the horizontal panel assemblies 300 are configuredto allow the panel assembly to be secured to the frame assembly 12 in anon-inverted (i.e., upside-up) or inverted orientation (i.e.,upside-down). For example, as shown in FIGS. 17-19, the front horizontalpanel assembly 300 is secured to the frame assembly 12 in the invertedorientation, and the middle horizontal panel assembly is secured to theframe assembly in the non-inverted orientation. As shown best in FIG.18, this arrangement of adjacent horizontal panel assemblies 300 createsa vertical panel opening 370 between adjacent sides (e.g., the back sideof the front horizontal panel 302 and the front side of the middlehorizontal panel 302) of the horizontal panel assemblies 300. Inparticular, in the illustrated embodiment, the panel opening 370 isdefined by vertically spaced apart side flanges 310 of the adjacenthorizontal panels 302. In this embodiment, the flanges 310 have suitablewidths so that the flanges of adjacent horizontal panels are spacedapart vertically when one of the horizontal panels is inverted. Agasket, brush, flap or other structure can be secured over or adjacentthe panel opening 370. The panel opening 370 allows for ingress/egressof cables/wires or other components. The panel opening 370 can alsofunctions as a vent for air within the rack 10.

Referring to FIG. 20, in one or more embodiments, an electricallyconductive clip 374 may be secured to one or more of the end walls 306of the horizontal panel 302. The clip 374 includes resilientlydeflectable jaws for receiving the end wall 306 therebetween. The clip374 also includes one or more barbs 378 that contact the adjacent sidebrace 16 when the horizontal panel assembly 300 is secured to the frameassembly 12. The barbs 378 are in electrical contact with the side brace16 to ground the horizontal panel assembly 300. The barbs 378 may beconfigured to dig into or scrap the side brace 16 to facilitate theelectrical connection.

Referring to FIGS. 28-38, in one or more embodiments, the equipment rack10 includes various brackets 400, 400′, 400″ mountable on the frame forsupporting items in the equipment rack. The brackets 400, 400′, 400″ areconfigured to permit convenient installation at various locations on theframe 12. As will become apparent, the brackets 400, 400′, 400″ aretool-free mounting brackets, i.e., configured for mounting on the frame12 without requiring the use of a tool.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, two brackets 400 of a first embodiment aremounted on the left rear upright 14 adjacent the respective upper andlower ends of the frame 12. The brackets 400 are configured forsupporting power distribution units (not shown), among other things. Asalso shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, two brackets 400′ of a second embodimentare mounted on the left front and left rear uprights 14, respectively.The brackets 400′ are shown holding a tray 410 (e.g., wire formed trayor wire basket, as shown) extending horizontally for supporting cablesto facilitate cable management in the equipment rack 10. As shown inFIGS. 28 and 30, two brackets 400″ of a third embodiment are mounted onthe right front and right rear uprights 14, respectively. The brackets400″ are shown holding a cable support tray or basket 412 extending in avertical orientation. More or fewer brackets 400, 400′, 400″ can beused, and the brackets can be mounted in other positions and/ororientations, based on the desired configuration of the equipment rack.

The equipment rack 10 is configured to permit mounting of the brackets400, 400′, 400″ at various locations. In the illustrated embodiment, thebrackets 400, 400′, 400″ are mountable on the frame 12, and inparticular, on the uprights 14. As shown in FIGS. 28-30, the uprights 14each have a plurality of predetermined mounting areas 420 spaced atintervals along the height of the uprights. A user can select among thepredetermined mounting areas 420 for mounting the brackets 400, 400′,400″. Other mounting locations in the equipment rack 10 can be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. Structureforming the predetermined mounting areas 420 will be described in detailbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 31-35, the bracket 400 of the first embodimentmounted adjacent the lower end of the rear left upright 14 will now bedescribed in further detail. It will be understood that the otherbracket 400 of the first embodiment, mounted on the front left upright14, has the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 31, the bracket 400includes a bracket body 430 and a snap fit retainer 432 (separated fromthe bracket body in FIG. 31). The bracket body 430 may be formed fromsheet metal, having a thickness from 10 gauge to 20 gauge, for example,or another suitable thickness. In the illustrated embodiment, thebracket body 430 is made of 14 gauge sheet metal bent into the form ofthe bracket body. The snap fit retainer 432 can be made of plastic oranother suitable material. The snap fit retainer 432 can be formedintegrally with the bracket body 430 without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

Still referring to FIG. 31, the bracket body 430 includes a generallyrectangular mounting section 434 having a front mounting face 434A andan opposite rear face 434B. The mounting section 434 has a plurality ofconnectors configured for mounting various items on the bracket 400. Forexample, the mounting section 434 includes key slots 436 positioned inan array including three columns of two key slots. Each column of keyslots 436 is configured for receiving connectors (e.g., buttonconnectors) on the rear of a power distribution unit (not shown) formounting the power distribution unit in the equipment rack 10. Thebracket body 430 also includes cable tie anchors in the form of T-shapedteeth 438 in an opening in the mounting section 434. For example, cableties (not shown) such as various types of straps, etc. can be used tosecure cables to the anchors. A variety of other connectors are alsoprovided for other types of connections to the mounting section 434.Other numbers and/or types of connectors can be provided on the bracket400 and/or at other locations on the bracket without departing from thescope of the present invention.

The bracket body 430 includes upper and lower flanges 440 above andbelow the mounting section 434, respectively. The upper and lowerflanges 440 extend between left and right ends of the bracket body 430,extend rearward from the mounting section 434, and extend transverselywith respect to the mounting face 434A. Right ends of the upper andlower flanges 440 form limbs 440A for mounting the bracket on the frame.Gaps 442 (FIG. 31) are provided between the limbs 440A and the rear face434B of the mounting section 434 for receiving a portion of an upright14, as will become apparent. The bracket body 430 includes a connectingflange 444 to the right of the mounting section 434. The connectingflange 444 extends between upper and lower ends of the bracket body 430,extends forward from the mounting section 434, and extends transverselywith respect to the mounting face 434A. The connecting flange 444 has aholder in the form of a rectangular opening 444A for holding the snapfit retainer 432 (see FIG. 32). The bracket body 430 includes a tongue446 extending to the right transversely from the forward end of theconnecting flange 444. The tongue 446 extends generally parallel withthe mounting face 434A. As will become apparent, the tongue 446, limbs440A, and snap fit retainer 432 are used for mounting the bracket 400 onthe frame 12. The limbs 440A and the tongue 446 can be broadly referredto as protrusions (more broadly, connectors) used for mounting thebracket 400.

The position and orientation of the features of the bracket 400 asdescribed above are with reference to the configuration and orientationof the bracket as shown in FIG. 31. It will be understood that thebracket 400 can be mounted in the equipment rack in variousorientations, such that components described above as “upper” mayinstead be “lower,” components described as “right” may instead be“left,” etc., without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 32, the upright 14 includes structure defining themounting area 420 configured for cooperating with the bracket 400 formounting the bracket on the upright. The mounting area 420 shown in FIG.32 will be described in further detail, with the understanding that theother mounting areas have a similar construction. At the mounting area420, the upright 14 has first and second abutments 450, 452. The firstabutment 450 defines an outside corner 450A and has a vertical slot 450Bsized for receiving the tongue 446 of the bracket 400. The secondabutment 452 defines an outside corner 452A having relatively smallhorizontal slots 452B for receiving the limbs 440A of the bracket 400.The vertical and horizontal slots 450B, 452B can be referred to broadlyas receivers (more broadly, connectors) for receiving the protrusions(limbs 440A and tongue 446) of the bracket 400. The first and secondabutments 450, 452 also include respective abutment surfaces 450C, 452Cfor abutting the connecting flange 444 and the rear face 434B of themounting section 434, respectively. The first abutment 450 has a lip450D adjacent a cavity 460 in the upright 14 configured for receivingthe snap fit retainer 432.

As shown in FIGS. 31 and 34, the snap fit retainer 432 has a generallyU-shaped body including first and second legs 464, 466 and a nose 468connecting proximal ends of the legs. The retainer includes a lever 470connected to a distal end of the first leg 464. The second leg 466includes first and second barbs 472 having ramps extending outward anddistally with respect to the nose 468 and having retaining surfacesfacing distally with respect to the nose. The first leg 466 includes acatch 480 having a ramp extending outward and distally with respect tothe nose 468 and having a retaining surface facing distally with respectto the nose. Desirably, the first and second legs 464, 466 areresiliently deflectable with respect to each other to permit temporarydeformation of the retainer 432 for installing the retainer on thebracket body 430 and for securing the bracket 400 on the mounting area420. When the retainer 432 is installed on the bracket body 430, theretaining surface of the second barb 472 engages the bracket body, andthe lever 470 engages the connecting flange 444. The retaining surfaceof the second barb 472 limits withdrawal of the retainer 432 back out ofthe opening 444A in the connecting flange 444, and the lever 470abutting the connecting flange limits movement of the retainer fartherinto the opening.

Mounting of the bracket 400 on the mounting area 420 will now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 32-35. In FIG. 32, the bracket 400 isshown in registration with and ready for mounting on the mounting area420. In particular, the bracket 400 is positioned in register with themounting area 420, such that the limbs 440A are in register with thehorizontal slots 452B, the tongue 446 is in register with the verticalslot 450B, and the snap fit retainer 432 is in register with the lip450D. When the bracket 400 is in such a position, the bracket can bemoved toward the mounting area along a straight movement axis, in thedirection in which the limbs 440A and tongue 446 extend, not only formating the protrusions (limbs and tongue) with the receivers (horizontaland vertical slots 452B, 450B), but also for releasably locking the snapfit retainer 432 on the lip 450D to secure the protrusions in thereceivers, as shown in FIGS. 33-35. As the nose 468 of the snap fitretainer 432 passes the lip 450D, the ramp of the catch 480 engages thelip 450D and causes the first leg 464 to increasingly deflect toward thesecond leg 466 until the catch 480 passes the lip, permitting the firstleg to resiliently “snap” to its non-deflected position. This moves theretaining surface of the catch 480 into position for engaging the lip450D to limit withdrawal of the bracket 400 from the mounting area 420.If desired, to remove the bracket 400 from the mounting area 420, a usercan press the lever 470 to deflect the first leg 464 to permitwithdrawal of the retainer 432 from the lip 450D.

As is now apparent, the bracket 400 and mounting area 420 are configuredto permit convenient tool-free mounting of the bracket on the mountingarea. The bracket 400 is essentially “plugged” into the mounting area420, to mate the bracket with the mounting area and create a releasablesecuring or retaining connection of the bracket on the mounting area inthe same motion, in a simple and efficient manner. Moreover, the bracket400 is substantially anchored against pivoting or rotational movement bythe engagement of the bracket with the abutments 450, 452. For example,in the illustrated embodiment, the tongue 446 abuts an inside surface450E of the first abutment 450, the connecting flange 444 abuts thefirst abutment surface 450C, and the rear face 434B abuts the secondabutment surface 452C. The arrangement provides for substantiallyimproved convenience in assembly compared to arrangements requiringtools, such as requiring a driver for installing bolts or screws, etc.

The brackets 400′ of the second embodiment, noted briefly above withrespect to FIGS. 28-29, will now be discussed. As shown in closer detailin FIG. 36, the bracket 400′ holding a right end of the horizontallyextending tray 410 is shown mounted on the rear left upright 14. It willbe understood that the bracket 400′ holding the opposite end of thehorizontally extending tray 410 has the same construction and is mountedon the front left upright 14 in a similar fashion. The bracket 400′ issimilar in many respects to the bracket of the first embodimentdescribed above, and like parts are indicated by the same referencenumbers plus a prime designator. The bracket 400′ mounts on the mountingarea 420 in the same manner described above. For example, the bracket400′ includes protrusions in the form of upper and lower limbs 440A′that are received in the horizontal slots 452B and in the form of atongue 446′ that is received in the vertical slot 450B. The bracket 400′also includes a snap fit retainer 432′ for securing against the lip450D. In this embodiment, the mounting section 434′ has differentconnectors. The connectors on the mounting section include an upper setof hooks 482A and a lower set of hooks 482B. The sets of hooks 482A,482B are oriented in opposite directions. The upper hooks 482A extendupward for holding a segment of the horizontal tray 410, and the lowerhooks 482B extend downward for holding a different segment of thehorizontal tray. The hooks 482A, 482B hold the respective tray segmentsagainst the mounting face 434A′ of the mounting section 434′.Accordingly, the brackets 400′ at opposite ends of the tray 410 hold thetray in position for supporting cables in the equipment rack.

The brackets 400″ of the third embodiment, noted briefly above withrespect to FIGS. 28 and 30, will now be discussed. The bracket 400″holding a lower end of the vertically extending tray 412 is shown inFIG. 37, and the bracket 400″ holding an upper end of the verticallyextending tray 412 is shown in FIG. 38. The brackets 400″ are similar inmany respects to the brackets of the first and second embodimentsdescribed above, and like parts are indicated with the same referencenumbers plus a double prime designator. The brackets 400″ mount at themounting areas 420 in the same manner described above. For example, thebracket 400″ includes protrusions in the form of upper and lower limbs440A″ that are received in the horizontal slots 452B and in the form ofa tongue 446″ that is received in the vertical slot 450B. The bracket400″ also includes a snap fit retainer 432″ for releasably locking thebracket 400″ on the mounting area 420. In this embodiment, the mountingsection 434″ has a similar configuration as in the second embodiment.The connectors on the mounting section include an upper set of hooks482A″ and a lower set of hooks 482B″. As shown by comparison of FIGS. 37and 38, the lower set of hooks 482B″ is used for mounting the lower endof the tray 412, and the upper set of hooks 482A″ is used for mountingthe upper end of the tray.

Referring to FIGS. 39-44, in one or more embodiments, the equipment rack10 includes one or more cable retainer gates, each generally indicatedat 600, attached to one or more wire baskets 410, 412 (broadly, basketsformed at least partially by wire lattice) mounted on the frame assembly12. The cable retainer gates may be attached at selected locations alongthe length of the wire basket 412 to retain cables/wires within the wirebasket. Each cable retainer gate 600 may be identical. The cableretainer gate 600 has a generally L-shaped body including a retainerportion 602 having opposite ends, and a basket-attachment portion,generally indicated at 604, extending transversely (e.g., generallyperpendicular) from one end of the retainer portion and configured toselectively and removably attach the cable retainer gate to a selectedone of the side walls of the wire basket 412. The retainer portion 602may be generally planar and have generally rectangular perimeter. Theretainer portion 602 may be generally rigid such that it maintains itsgenerally planar shape to retain cables/wires in the wire basket 412.When the basket-attachment portion 604 is attached to one of the sidewalls of the wire basket 412, the retainer portion is generally in theform of a flap or cantilever that extends toward the opposite side wallof the wire basket, across the open channel of the wire basket 412,adjacent the open side of the channel.

The basket-attachment portion 604 includes first and second snap-fitconnector 610, 612, respectively, that are spaced apart from one anotheralong the basket-attachment portion and are configured to snap-fitconnect to spaced apart wires running along the side wall of the wirebasket 412. In the illustrated embodiment, each snap-fit connector 610,612 includes a pair of opposing jaws 610 a, 612 a, respectively,defining a channel therebetween for receiving the corresponding wire.The channel may have a generally arcuate shape in cross section. Theopposing jaws 610 a, 612 a are resiliently deflectable away from oneanother to allow the wire to enter the channel through the open side,whereupon the jaws rebound to grasp the wire. The snap-fit connectors610, 612 may be of other types in other embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 40, when both of the first and second snap-fitconnectors 610, 612, respectively, are attached to one of the side wallsof the wire basket 412, the cable retainer gate 600 is generally fixedto the wire basket (i.e., is not movable) so that the cantileveredretainer portion 602 inhibits the cables/wires from falling out the openside of the wire basket. As shown in FIG. 41, when only the firstsnap-fit connector 610 is attached to one of the side walls of the wirebasket 412, the cable retainer gate 600 is pivotable or rotatable aboutthe attached wire of the basket. In this way, the cantilevered retainerportion 602 can be pivoted or rotated away from the open side of thewire basket to allow entry or removal of cables/wires from the basketwithout detaching the cable retainer gate from the basket. A fingeropening 620 is defined by the retainer portion 602 to allow a user topivot the cable retainer gate 600 by inserting a finger in the opening.

In one or more example, the retainer portion 602 may have a length fromabout 3 in to about 4 in (e.g., about 3.5 in). Center axes of thesnap-fit channels of the first and second snap-fit connectors 610, 612may be spaced apart a distance of about 1 in (e.g., 1.05 in) or otherdistances based on the distance between adjacent side wires of a desiredwire basket. The cable retainer gate 600 may be of other dimensions.

In one or more embodiments, the cable retainer gate 600 is an integrallyformed, one-piece component. The cable retainer gate 600 may be formedfrom plastic (e.g., ABS plastic material) or other suitable material. Inone example, the cable retainer gate 600 may be formed by an injectionmolding process.

In one or more embodiments, the equipment rack 10 includes one or moreof the components described herein above. That is, in one or moreembodiments, the equipment rack includes one or more of the following:one or more of the uprights 14; one or more of the side braces 16; oneor more of the mounting rails 26; one or more of the caster brackets 200and/or caster bracket assemblies; one or more of the horizontal panels300 for either or both the upper end and the lower end of the frameassembly 12; one or more of the tool-free mounting brackets 400, 400′,400″; and one or more of the cable retainer gates 600. Accordingly, theequipment rack 10 can be thought of as a system. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 45, the equipment rack includes at least one of each of theseabove-listed components. It is understood that the equipment rack 10 mayinclude less than all of the components. In addition, in one or moreembodiments, each of the above-listed components described herein may beprovided apart from the equipment rack 10. That is, each of thecomponents may be sold separately from the equipment rack, such thateach of the components may be its own product. Accordingly, the presentdisclosure contemplates each of the above-listed components may be aseparate invention apart from the equipment rack 10 and/or the othercomponents.

Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the invention defined in theappended claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s)thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to meanthat there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”,“including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products,and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. An equipment rack comprising: a frame assemblyincluding a front pair of left and right uprights, a back pair of leftand right uprights, a left lower side brace connected to the front leftand back left uprights and a right lower side brace connected to thefront right and back right uprights, the left and right lower sidebraces being spaced apart from one another and extending in afront-to-back direction with respect to the frame assembly, the frameassembly including a back lower end brace connected to the back pair ofleft and right uprights and extending in a side-to-side direction withrespect to the frame assembly and a front lower end brace connected tothe front pair of left and right uprights and extending in aside-to-side direction with respect to the frame assembly, the front andback pair of left and right uprights, the left and right lower sidebraces and the front and back lower end braces defining a lower exteriorperimeter of the frame assembly, the front and back pair of left andright uprights disposed at corners of the lower exterior perimeter, afirst caster bracket assembly extending between the left and right lowerside braces, the first caster bracket assembly including a first casterbracket having left and right end walls, the left end wall secured tothe left lower side brace, the right end wall secured to the right lowerside brace, the first caster bracket assembly including at least twowheels secured to the first caster bracket, a second caster bracketassembly extending between the left and right lower side braces, thesecond caster bracket assembly including a second caster bracket havingleft and right end walls, the left end wall secured to the left lowerside brace, the right end wall secured to the right lower side brace,the second caster bracket assembly including at least two wheels securedto the second caster bracket, wherein the back lower end brace extendingin the side-to-side direction is closer to the first caster bracket thanthe second caster bracket, and the first caster bracket is spaced apartfrom the back lower end brace extending in the side-to-side direction todefine a gap between the first caster bracket and said back lower endbrace and inside the lower exterior perimeter.
 2. The equipment rack setforth in claim 1, wherein the left lower side brace includes a firstgroup of holes arranged in a first pattern, a second group of holesarranged in the first pattern, and a third group of holes arranged inthe first pattern, and the right lower side brace includes a first groupof holes arranged in the first pattern, a second group of holes arrangedin the first pattern, and a third group of holes arranged in the firstpattern, wherein the left end wall of the first caster bracket of thefirst caster bracket assembly includes a group of holes arranged in thefirst pattern, and the right end wall of the first caster bracket of thefirst caster bracket assembly includes a group of holes arranged in thefirst pattern, the left end wall being secured to the left lower sidebrace by mechanical fasteners in the group of holes of the left end walland in the first group of holes of the left lower side brace, the rightend wall being secured to the right lower side brace by mechanicalfasteners in the group of holes of the right end wall and in the firstgroup of holes of the right lower side brace, and wherein the left endwall of the second caster bracket of the second caster bracket assemblyincludes a group of holes arranged in the first pattern, and the rightend wall of the second caster bracket of the second caster bracketassembly includes a group of holes arranged in the first pattern, theleft end wall being secured to the left lower side brace by mechanicalfasteners in the group of holes of the left end wall and in the secondgroup of holes of the left lower side brace, the right end wall beingsecured to the right lower side brace by mechanical fasteners in thegroup of holes of the right end wall and in the second group of holes ofthe right lower side brace.
 3. The equipment rack set forth in claim 2,wherein the mechanical fasteners securing the second caster bracket tothe left and right lower side braces are removable, and the secondcaster bracket is re-securable to the left and right lower side bracesby moving the second caster bracket with respect to the left and rightlower side braces and inserting the mechanical fasteners in the group ofholes of the left end wall and in the third group of holes of the leftlower side brace, and inserting the mechanical fasteners in the group ofholes of the right end wall and in the third group of holes of the rightlower side brace.
 4. The equipment rack set forth in claim 1, whereinthe first caster bracket assembly is a rear caster bracket assembly, thesecond caster bracket assembly is a front caster bracket assembly, thefront caster bracket being spaced rearward from said front lower endbrace to define a gap forward from the front caster bracket.
 5. Theequipment rack set forth in claim 1, further comprising a set ofmounting rails extending vertically and secured to the frame assembly,the mounting rails each including a rail body and a plurality ofopenings spaced from each other along a length of the rail body, theopenings being configured for mounting equipment on the rail bodies. 6.The equipment rack set forth in claim 5, wherein the set of mountingrails includes at least one pair of left and right mounting rails. 7.The equipment rack set forth in claim 6, wherein the set of mountingrails includes a front pair of left and right mounting rails and a backpair of left and right mounting rails.
 8. The equipment rack set forthin claim 1, wherein the first and second caster bracket assemblies aresubstantially identical.